Mahatma Gandhi: an Innovation

Patriot, politician and nation-builder: these words are used to describe the legendary Mahatma Gandhi. However, he is so much more. His childhood is unclear, but inspirational. His work is well known, and heartwarming. But most of all, his words are true and dig deep into the mind, soul and heart. According to Gandhi’s life in 5000 words, Gandhi was born on October 2nd, 1869 into a middle class family of Vaishya caste. He was not born a “genius” as many claim he was. Though there is little evidence on his childhood one thing is for certain; he was a normal child. “If there was anything extraordinary about him as a child, it was his shyness” (N.p. Gandhi.) He was not a prodigy at birth nor did he have any mystic visions. There were no school records of any greatness or supernatural thinking. Yes, it’s quite disappointing but it’s more inspirational than anything. It shows that if Gandhi, a normal child in a normal family, can make such a huge impact on the world… then anybody can. Spending twenty years of his life defending the rights of immigrants in South Africa, Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize but never received it. In 1914 he returned to India and became the leader of the Indian National Congress (N.p. Mohandas.) Gandhi urged non-violence and civil disobedience as a means to independence from Great Britain, with public acts of defiance that landed him in jail several times. In 1947 he participated in the postwar negotiations that led to Indian independence (N.p. Mohandas.) Gandhi was a strict vegetarian and made his own clothes. According to Mohandas Gandhi Biography, he was not born with the name Mahatma, meaning “great soul”. It was given to him later in his life to honor him for his work. Along with his work, Gandhi is also known for his very true, very thoughtful words. Gandhi’s words have moved the world. His philosophy on peace, love, and religion brought not only India, but the entire world to peace. His goal in life was to bring only...